Sam Bennett's remarkable 2021 continued on Friday with his victory on stage 3 of the Volta ao Algarve.
It was the Deceuninck Quick-Step sprinters second stage win of the race, and his seventh since the turn of the year.
Much as he did on Wednesday, Bennett beat Danny van Poppel (Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux) into second, with lead-out man Michael Morkov placing third.
Ethan Hayter (Ineos Grenadiers) holds onto the overall race lead ahead of Saturday's penultimate stage, a time trial in Lagoa.
"I wasn’t sure I could do it," Bennett said of his stage win, "I didn’t think this was going to be my day.
"The heat was oppressive out there, I didn’t know if I’d have it in the legs in this heat.
"But I just got onto Michael’s wheel as we came into the last corner with 400-metres to go and then I went for home."
🇮🇪 Sam Bennett (Deceunink-Quick Step) wins in Tavira. Final meters! 💪🏆🟢 #VAlgarve2021 pic.twitter.com/YcJIqpjCa2
— Volta ao Algarve (@VoltAlgarve) May 7, 2021
